Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
The Dental Home is
intended to provide a place other than the
Emergency Room for parents.
You can make the first visit to the dentist
enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed
of the visit and told that the dentist and their team will explain
all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning
the visit the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination. During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our team through the dental experience. We can usually establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present. Our purpose is to gain your child's confidence and overcome apprehension. However, if you choose, you are more than welcome to accompany your child to the treatment room. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.
We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!
For your convenience prior to visiting our office, please go to My Account to fill out the New Patient Health History Form.
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Starting at Age 1 ~ Pleasant First Visit When a child is seen at one year, the first visit can be a pleasant and uneventful introduction to the dental office. Emphasis is on the developmental assessment of the child’s oral health. Caries (tooth decay) or developmental disturbances can be managed early. Fluoride varnish may be applied to counteract beginning decay on newly erupted teeth.
Five Steps for Baby’s
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Step 1 Clinical
Examination by |
• Complete
medical history • Knee-to-knee exam with guardian • Note clinical dental caries • Soft tissue irregularities • White-spot lesions, tongue anatomy • Enamel decalcification, hypoplasia • Dietary staining |
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Step 2 Caries Risk Assessment |
• Bottle or
breast fed at night on demand • Non-water in bedtime bottle • Decalcification/caries present • No oral home care • Sugary foods, snacks |
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Step 3
Diet Counseling for Infants |
• No juice
or milk in bed • Sippy cups can encourage decay • Avoid sugar drinks, sodas • Encourage variety and a balanced diet • Low-sugar snacks • Fluorides – topical and systemic |
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Step 4
Oral Home Care for Infants |
•
Brush/massage teeth and gums 2x daily • Small, soft toothbrush • Tiny amount of Dentist recommended toothpaste • Guidance on thumb sucking, pacifier • Response for home accidents, trauma |
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Step 5
Future visits |
• Based on
Risk Assessment • At age one year • Follow up every 6 months |
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